Moovar !! Life of Thiru Sundaramurthy Nayanar/Nambiyarurar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!




Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!


 


Photo courtesy -shaivam.org






Mathavam Seithu Then Thisai Vazhthidath

Theethilla Thiruthondathokai Thara

Pothuvar Avarmel Manam Pokkida

Kathal Matharumkatchiyil Kanninar




Thiru Sundaramurthy Nayanar/Nambiyarurar was born to devout Brahmin couple Thiru Chadaiya Nayanar and Isai Gnani Ammayar, who were staunch devotees of Lord Shiva. Thirunavalur was the birth place of Thiru Sundaramurthy Nayanar. Thiru Chadaiya Nayanar was a Vedic Brahmin and the couple was led a life of an ascetic. They untiringly served Lord Thirunavaleswarar with his consort Goddess Sri Manonmani Thayar in Thirunavalur. The studious little Nambiyarurar learnt Veda Sastras from his father. Once, King Narasingamunairayar was happened to see charismatic little Nambiyarurar playing on the street. The King was fascinated at the beauty of the little child; he approached Nambiyarurar’s parents and revealed his desire to adopt the child. His parents were accepted the proposal of the King without any uncertainty, they wholeheartedly agreed to send the child Nambiyarurar with the King. Afterwards, Nambiyarurar was grown up in a royal environment and became a heir to the throne of King Narasingamunairayar.






The life of Thiru Narasingamunairayar:








In due course of time, marriage of Nambiyarurar was arranged with Chadangaviyar. On the day of marriage Nambiyaruar was attractively clothed in majestic wedding attire, took procession of the bride-groom. While the marriage ceremony was taking place there appeared an old Brahmin with holy ashes smeared all over the body seized everyone’s attention. He declared that Nambiyarurar has to settle an old account which was owed by his forefathers. In addition to this, he proclaimed publicly that Nambiyarurar was his slave. Nambiayarurar was annoyed at the statement of the old Brahmin. There were heated arguments followed between them. Irritatingly, Sundarar verbally abused the old Brahmin calling him ‘Pitha’. The old man ordered to put hold of the wedding for the time being and instructed Nambiyarurar to follow him. Nambiyarurar followed the old Brahmin amicably. The marriage ambiance turned into place of bereavement, Chadangaviyar attained the Abode of Lord Shiva due to the painful separation from Nambiyarurar.

 



Nambiyarurar appeared before the court of assembly at Thiruvennainallur due to the plea old Brahmin. The debate on the case was progressed; the old Brahmin meticulously revealed a bundle of proof written in palm leaves. In that it was clearly mentioned by his grandfather that Arurar of Navalur were destined to serve the Lord of Thiruvennainallur as his slave. The verdict was followed on the basis of the proof produced; Nambiyarurar should serve the old Brahmin as his slave.

 



Nambiyarurar whole-heartedly followed the old Brahmin to Thiruvarutturai. The old Brahmin gracefully marched towards the sanctum sanctorum of Thiruvennainallur Temple and vanished. Nambiyarurar/Thiru Sundaramurthy Nayanar was shocked at this sight. Instantaneously there appeared Lord Shiva on his celestial vehicle and instructed Sundarar to sing praising his glories. Sundarar waveringly disclosed his helplessness, he awfully felt guilty of addressing the old Brahmin as ‘Pitha’ without knowing his real identity. The most compassionate Lord Shiva mischievously instructed Sundarar to sing verses begin with ‘Pitha Piraisoodi’.






Sundarar led his spiritual journey to Thiruthuraiyur and headed to Thiruvadhikai. His immense devotion and respect towards Thirunavukkarasar made him put a sudden halt to his journey on the banks of the river Pennai. On that night he stayed in a hermitage located in a remote area, in the middle of the night he realized somebody’s feet on his head. He got up and found a Brahmin sleeping carelessly bumped his legs on him. He informed the Brahmin to keep away his legs out of reach and went to sleep but the same thing was repeated. Sundarar was disturbed and irritatingly enquired the identity of the old man, instantly the old Brahmin disappeared and a mysterious voice followed. Sundarar realized his folly and solemnly sung praising the Lord. Sundarar visited many sacred temples of Lord Shiva through the length and breadth of Tamil Nadu. During his spiritual tour, Sundarar met Thiru Gnana Sambandhar and Appar, enjoyed in their blissful company.





Life of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar :






 

Life of Thirunavukkarasar/Appar:









After visiting many sacred places of Lord Shive, Sundarar arrived at Thirunavalur. He was received by a huge crowd of Brahmins with great reverence. While he was immersed at the divine bliss of Lord at Thirumulattanam, Lord himself pronounced Sundarar as ‘Thambiran Thozhar’ (Friend of Lord of Lords).






Sundarar met his soul mate Paravai Nachiyar in the temple at Thiruvarur. Immediately he had fallen in love with her and same with Paravai Nachiyar too. Sundarar was attracted towards the loveliness and devotion of Paravai Nachiyar. He sincerely prayed to Lord to get her married. Eventually, Sundarar married to Paravai Nachiyar with the blessings of Lord. Sundarar composed many sacred verses praising the glories of Lord as his intimate friend and his devotees in his famous compositions Thirupattu & Thiru Thondar Thokai.



In the meantime, Sundarar was received invitation from Thiru Kotpuliyar to visit Thirunattiyathankudi. He was pleased at the generosity of Thiru Kotpuliyar. Thiru Kotupliyar had lot of admiration and respect towards Sundarar, he requested Sundarar to marry his two daughters Vanappakai and Chingadi. Sundarar gracefully refused the marriage proposal and accepted them as his daughters. Sundarar returned to Thiruvarur and realized that Paravai Nachiyar was in need of money to contribute for Panguni Uthiram Utsavam. Sundarar had nothing to serve for Paravai Nachiyars needs. He desperately left to Thiruppukalur, he sang praising the glories of Lord. Due to the fatigue and hunger he was fallen asleep within the temple premise keeping a few blocks of bricks as pillow under his head. On the next day, he woke up and astounded to see that all the blocks of bricks under his head were turned into gold. Sundarar happily handed the gold to Paravai Nachiyar and instructed her to utilize for the festival.

 
 

The Life of Kotpuliyar Nayanar :








Sundarar visited several sacred shrines of Lord Shiva and sang praising the glories of Lord. In fact, Lord was enthusiastically looking forward for Sundarar’s passionate method of worship. Whenever Sundarar was in need of money, he graciously approached Lord and revealed his desire. And the wealth collected were utilized wisely either for serving the devotees of Lord or for the welfare of temples. Throughout his spiritual journey, Lord was followed him as shadow and served his need. There were several mysterious incidents took place to confirm the perpetual presence of Lord Shiva in his life.




At Thiruvotriyur Sundarar met with his another soul mate Changiliyar. She was a passionate devote of Lord, she tirelessly served Lord with beautiful garlands made out of alluring fresh flowers of various fragrances. She met Sundarar at the temple and they both were fallen in love at first sight. Changili Nachiyar was leading a life of an ascetic at a young age. Her parents were searching for an appropriate bride-groom for long time, every time after seeing Changaliyar the relatives and bride-groom had to face dreadful event. This mystifying incident forced her parents to drop marriage proposal for Changiliyar. Finally, the time has arrived in the life of two devotees to unite each other. The most compassionate Lord approached Changiliyar to get her permission to marry Sundarar. Changiliyar put forwarded a justifiable condition before the Lord that Sundarar should not leave her after marriage. Lord attentively conveyed Changiliyar’s condition to Sundarar. On the other hand, Sundarar revealed his earnest desire to visit many sacred places and sung praising the glories of Lord. Finally, Thambiran Thozhan and Lord have arrived to a conclusion that during the time of marriage vow Lord would take place under a Makizham tree situated out of the temple. The kind-hearted Lord felt pity on Chagiliyar and disclosed the secret arrangement he had with Sundarar. On the day of marriage Sundarar invited Changili Nachiyar inside the Sanctum sanctorum but she tactfully took Sundarar under the Makizham tree in the presence of Lord and performed the marriage rituals. Sundarar resided in Thiruvotriyur for quite some time but his desire to re-visit his home town grew irrepressible. He decided to move out of Thiruvotriyur, when he crossed the border of this place, immediately he lost his eye sight and struggled to move further. This incident reminded him about the promise he had given to Changili Nachiyar and he became inconsolable. He continued his journey and moved through Thirumullaivoyil to Thiruvenbakkam, he was totally miserable cried to Lord for forgiveness. The kind hearted Lord tossed a stick towards him and sent out assistance for Sundarar to follow him. At Thirukacchi Ekambam Sundarar got his left eye sight back again. On his journey to Thiruvarur Sundarar visited many sacred shrines and sung praising the glories of Lord. At Thiruvarur he got back the right eye sight too.



 

Sundarar waveringly approached his home town. Paravai Nachiyar was already left the house with great disappointment after listening to Sundarar’s remarriage. The entire villagers worked hard to bring peace between them, but nothing worked well. Sundarar solemnly prayed to Lord to remove the disagreement between them. Lord Shiva with his Ganas walked through the street to pacify Paravai Nachiyar. At last, Paravai Nachiyar agreed to be with Sundarar once again and regained their love for each other.






Sundarar met Thiru Eyarkon Kalikkama Nayanar at the divine command of Lord and brought his life back.




Life of Thiru Eyarkon Kalikkama Nayanar:







Thiru Cheraman Peruman Nayanar arrived at Thiruvarur with a great yearning to meet Sundarar. The two devotees of Lord were hugged each other with immense joy. This marvelous association with Cherman Nayanar gave a new name ‘Cheraman Thozhar’ to Sundarar. They together conducted spiritual to many sacred temples of Lord. Sundarar along with Paravai Nachiyar decided to leave to the Kingdom of Cheraman Nayanar at his request. After worshipping Lord at Thiruvarur, Sundarar proceeded to the Kingdom of Cheraman Nayanar. He was received with great honor at Kodungallur. Sundarar stayed at this place for quite some time, as usual his desire to be back in Thiruvarur urged himself to separate from his closest associate Cheraman Nayanar. Sundarar consoled Cheraman Nayanar and left Kodungallur with all the material goods affectionately provided by him. At Thirumuruganpoondi all the goods were stolen by a gang of robbers. Sundarar was distressed at this incident, visited the temple Thirumuruganpoondi and sang authoritatively questioned Lord for his negligence. Lord was pleased at the devotion of Sundarar and gave back all the materials stolen by the thieves.




After worshipping Lord at Thiruvarur, Sundarar proceeded to Thiruppukoliyur. In this village Sundarar noticed one house was filled with the air of bliss and the opposite house was mourning for the death of a child. Sundarar enquired the reason and found that the children from these houses were gone to have a bath in the pond situated near the temple. One child way caught by the crocodile and the other one was sparingly escaped from the danger. The boy who was survived from the hazard was undergoing Bhramopadesam. After listening to the heart breaking incident, Sundarar rushed to the pond and sang praising the glories of Lord Avinashiappar. Instantaneously, the crocodile spitted out the child and the child walked towards to his parents just like nothing had happened.





Sundarar arrived the Kingdom of Cheraman Peruman Nayanar, once again he was received with great admiration and respect. It was the most relishing moment for both the devotees of Lord. One day King Cheraman Peruman was immersed in the worship of Lord, Sundarar and group of devotees arrived at the shrine in Thiruvanchikkulam. He passionately sung praising the glories of Lord, instantly a sparkling light appeared in the sanctum. Sundarar rushed to the sanctum with all the devotees, he solemnly prayed to Lord and revealed his desire to be in Mount Kailash. Instatntly, Lord commanded his Ganas to send Airavatha to bring Sundarar back to Mount Kailash. Sundarar left his mortal body and proceeded to Mount Kailash on Airavatha. Upon hearing the departure of Sundarar, his close associate Cherman hurried on his horse. He chanted Panchakshara Manthra on the ears of the horse; it took off to the sky and went along with Sundarar. Cheraman Nayanar was not allowed to enter into Mount Kailash, Sundarar earnestly prayed to Lord for Cheraman Nayanar. Lord enquired the Cheraman Nayanar reason to follow Sundarar, he earnestly replied that the pain of separation from Sundarar made him to follow to Mount Kailash. In this way, Cheraman Nayanar proved his Guru Bhakthi towards Sundarar, he was also allowed to remain in Mount Kailash and engage in the service to Lord. Subsequently, Paravai Nachiyar and Changili Nachiyar attained the Abode of Lord Shiva and regained their status.




Life of Thiru Cheraman Peruman Nayanar :




 


Previous Birth of Sundarar :




Alala Sundara was a mirror image of Lord Shiva. He was a prime servant of Lord Shiva in Mount Kailash. He was destined to obtain flowers for the daily rituals of Lord. As usual Alala Sundara left to collect flowers from the garden. There he found two gorgeous women Kamalini and Anindhithi. Instantly, Sundarar got attracted to their prettiness. He engaged in conversing with them delightfully and completely forgot his purpose of visiting the garden. Lord was patiently waiting for Alala Sundara, got disturbed at his negligent act. Alala Sundara returned with guilt and shame, Lord cursed him to take birth on the Earth along with the Kamalini and Anindhithi. Therefore, Alala Sundara was born on Earth as Sundaramurthy Nayanar along with Paravai Nachiyar and Changili Nachiyar.

 



In the Tamil month Adi – Swathi is widely celebrated as Guru Puja day of Thiru Sundaramurthy Nayanar, the day he attained the Abode of Lord Shiva.


Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!


Jai Sriman Narayana !!

No comments: